Young Women's National Advisory Council

Background

YW was developed to help Komen for the Cure address breast health and breast cancer issues that impact women younger than age 39. Breast cancer is generally associated with getting older and many people do not realize that the disease can affect women in their teens and 20s. In addition, the advisory council was formed to help Komen reach, attract and engage young women in the fight against breast cancer.

Role and Responsibilities

The council works with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to address issues related to breast health and breast cancer in young women. YW will be instrumental in helping Komen find ways to decrease breast cancer incidence and mortality trends among younger women. In addition, the advisors will offer guidance to Komen staff and Komen Affiliates on how to reach, attract and engage young women in all business areas of the organization.

Advisory council members, who are selected on the basis of nominations and come from all over the nation, help Komen plan strategies to decrease disparities in breast cancer mortality rates in specific population groups, and increase engagement in the fight against breast cancer. Members serve for a period of three years.

Providing breast health information to younger women

"While breast cancer is thought to be a disease that develops primarily in older women, younger women can and do get it, and when they do, it is often very aggressive. Our Young Women's National Advisory Council will be very helpful to Komen in helping us to find new and exciting ways to engage with younger women, providing them with breast health and breast cancer information that is relevant to them and where they are in their lives," said Susan Carter, Komen's senior advisor, office of the president, who serves as facilitator for the organization's advisory councils.

News: Young Women's Advisory Council Member Recognizes Best Friend for Co-Survivorship on "Live with Regis and Kelly."
Bridget Mooney, on the Young Women's Advisory council, submitted her best friend, Caitlin, for a makeover from Live with Regis and Kelly in order to express her gratitude for the exceptional support as co-survivor. Bridget says Caitlin took her for manicures and beach trips when other friends didn't know what to do. Caitlin started a Komen NYC Race for the Cure team this year in Bridget's name, and the members raised $20,000. For all her support, Caitlin was chosen by Regis and Kelly for a "Thanks-for-Giving" Makeover. The big reveal will air on Wednesday, November 21. Check online for local listings and watch an example of some Komen girls in action!

Current YW Members

Council Members:
Lindsay Avner, BA
Dikla Benzeevi, BS
Nikia A. Hammonds-Blakely, MBA
Davina Heredia
Samantha Knox
Bridget Mooney
Sarah E. Stumbar, BS
Megan Sussman
Elissa Thorner-Bantug, MHS
Tarsha White-Jones, RN, BSN

Photo of Lindsay Avner Lindsay Avner, BA, of Chicago, is a well-known national advocate for young people in the fight against breast cancer. After watching her mother battle and ultimately prevail over breast cancer, Lindsay committed to doing her part to involve her fellow peers in the cause. At the age of 15, she founded and implemented the first ever Komen Race for the Cure® High School Team Challenge in Columbus, OH to foster participation by young people in the races, while raising funds and awareness of the disease. The Challenge, which was designated as a model program by Komen for the Cure®, is now present in more than 60 affiliates internationally. After high school, Lindsay received her BA in psychology from the University of Michigan. Lindsay, now 24, resides in Chicago, IL, as an Assistant Brand Manager at Unilever, marketing and developing some of the world's most admired brands including Dove, Suave and Axe deodorants. She remains a committed breast cancer activist, speaking out about her courageous decision to undergo prophylactic bilateral mastectomy in several national media outlets. She has also founded Bright Pink (www.BeBrightPink.org), a nonprofit organization providing education and support to young women who are at high risk for breast cancer.

Photo of Dikla Benzeevi Dikla Benzeevi, BS, of Studio City, CA, is a young survivor of advanced breast cancer. Since her diagnosis, she has dedicated her time to breast cancer outreach and advocacy - assisting and guiding women with breast cancer and their loved ones through this difficult journey. Recognizing the need for a peer support and resource network for younger women in California, she created just such a group. By networking with breast cancer centers, hospitals, social workers and peers, Dikla has built one of the largest West Coast networks for young women. Her network shares information, promotes advocacy and outreach, welcomes newcomers with a personalized care package and provides the support that every young woman needs. Dikla is also involved in many other outreach activities including involvement in the Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization and the Young Survival Coalition. Dikla completed Y-Me Peer Hotline training, took part in an educational DVD for young women living with advanced breast cancer and participated in a survivor panel educating medical students. Dikla was also featured in various publications and spoke at many public engagements on issues related to breast health and breast cancer. Believing that peer support has to be coupled with political support, Dikla also participated in the National Breast Cancer Coalition Advocacy Training Conference in Washington DC, lobbying Congress to vote for breast cancer legislation. Dikla was recently chosen as a Lifetime Television 2007 Stop Breast Cancer for Life Hero.

Photo of Nikia A. Hammonds-Blakely Nikia A. Hammonds-Blakely, MBA, of Crown Point, N.J., survived a life-altering bout with breast cancer at age 16. She is a singer, songwriter and motivational speaker who focuses her message on receiving physical and emotional healing with the help of God and family. She is especially concerned with the healing of families and women who suffer with issues of inadequacy, insecurity, brokenness and abandonment. In celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Nikia plans to release her debut solo project debut in October of this year, featuring songs that she penned in honor of breast cancer patients and survivors. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Indiana State University, an M.B.A. with a marketing specialty from Capella University and is currently studying for her PhD in Organizational Management.

Photo of Davina Heredia Davina Heredia, of El Paso, is a junior at the University of Texas at El Paso and is majoring in psychology. She graduated from Burges High School where she was actively involved in the JROTC program, orchestra and NHS. Her senior year, she joined Teens for the Cure and for the past two years has been president of the group. This coming year, she will be the chairperson. In college, she has been president of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society for the past year, a member of the Student Leadership Institute and the Honors Program. She is also actively involved in dance and a member of the Ballet Folklorico Paso del Norte group, which performs locally and nationally. She has also performed in Mexico.

Photo of Samantha Knox Samantha Knox, of Allendale, MI, is a 21-year-old student who grew up in Adrian, Michigan. She graduated from Madison High School in 2003 and is currently attending Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan pursuing a B.S. in public and nonprofit administration. She expects to graduate in April of 2008. Outside of schoolwork, Samantha works at a nearby hotel and stays very active on campus through involvement with Colleges Against Cancer, Komen for the Cure, American Humanics, and other projects.

Photo of Bridget Moony Bridget Mooney, of Boston, Mass., graduated in 2005 with a degree in International Relations from Boston University. One week after her graduation from BU, Bridget was diagnosed with breast cancer; she was only 21 and had no family history of the disease. For nearly 6 months, Bridget was told by several health professionals not to worry about the lump in her left breast, and was not sent for a mammogram. As a result of this delay, Bridget was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. Her doctors were not very optimistic about her chances of survival, but she had a wonderful response to chemotherapy and has now been cancer-free for over a year. Since her diagnosis, Bridget has dedicated her life to raising awareness about breast health in young women. She speaks often at colleges and universities about the need for all young women to perform monthly breast self exams, as well as find and keep in regular contact with a doctor they trust. Bridget volunteers as a point of contact for other young survivors through the Young Survival Coalition, the only non-profit dedicated to serving breast cancer patients under the age of 40. Bridget also works as a Recruitment Coordinator for the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk.

Photo of Sarah E. Stumbar Sarah E. Stumbar, BS, of New York, graduated from Yale University with a degree in the History of Medicine in May 2006. While at Yale, she spent three summers working at Latin American HIV clinics, volunteered with numerous community service organizations, directed Yale AIDS Watch-Global, and served on the Youth Advisory Committee for the XVI International AIDS Conference. Her senior thesis research explored the connection between the Catholic Church and HIV prevention and education in Costa Rica. Sarah spent the summer after graduation lobbying with the Center for Health and Gender Equity in Washington, D.C. In August 2006, she entered the master of public health program in sociomedical sciences at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. She is interested in studying the connections between cultural concepts of sexuality and the spread of the HIV epidemic, particularly in Latin America.

Photo of Megan Sussman Megan Sussman, of Berkeley, CA, is an undergraduate at the University of California, Berkeley, and is pursuing a degree in molecular and cell biology with a minor in public policy. As a fourth-year student, she is currently the director of the "Cal in Berkeley Internship Program," which connects undergraduate students with internships at local government and non-profit organizations in the San Francisco Bay area. She has visited several countries, including Japan, Israel, France, and Costa Rica. When Megan was a junior in high school in Southern California, she co-founded the Pink Ribbon Club with her younger sister. The club's mission is to increase teen awareness, raise funds, and provide volunteer opportunities in the fight against breast cancer. Following the club's success, her family established the Pink Ribbon Club Foundation (a non-profit organization) to support the formation of new clubs. Megan continues to act as an advisor and leader for the Foundation.

Photo of Elissa Thorner-Bantug Elissa Thorner-Bantug, MHS, of Mount Airy, Maryland, is a two-time cancer survivor. After finding a lump in her breast at the age of 21, it took Ms. Thorner-Bantug eighteen months to find a doctor who would be willing to order a mammogram. Her first breast cancer diagnosis was at the age of 23. Two years later, on her 25 birthday, she was diagnosed for a second time with breast cancer. Ms. Thorner-Bantug is an outspoken activist of young women living with breast cancer. She has appeared in multiple local and national television interviews, newspaper articles, magazine publications, and radio discussions speaking out about the unique barriers and challenges young women with breast cancer face. Ms. Thorner-Bantug holds an undergraduate degree form Georgetown University in Women's Health and a graduate degree from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Health Promotion and Health Education with a concentration in Women's Health Issues.

Photo of Tarsha White-Jones Tarsha White-Jones, RN, BSN, of Washington, D.C., received her undergraduate degree from Seton Hall University, New Jersey in 2003. She is currently pursuing an MSN degree at The Catholic University of America to become a clinical nurse specialist: Her focus is global health, immigrant and refugee health. Upon completion of the program she plans to work both nationally and internationally with underserved populations to improve their health and access to health care through program and policy development. Tarsha previously served as a Paul Ambrose Scholar with the Association of Prevention, Teaching, and Research (APTR). During this time, she became an advocate for underserved women in Washington, D.C. Her focus is on the prevention or early detection of breast cancer. She also developed an outreach program called "Love Your Breast" in which she educates women about the importance of making their health a priority through early detection and routine screening. After the death of her grandmother to breast cancer in 2004, Tarsha began the journey of empowering women to become better aware of breast cancer and promised to do all that she could to eradicate the disease.

		Lindsay Avner, BA, of Chicago, is a well-known national advocate for young people in the fight against breast cancer. After watching her mother battle and ultimately prevail over breast cancer, Lindsay committed to doing her part to involve her fellow peers in the cause. At the age of 15, she founded and implemented the first ever Komen Race for the Cure® High School Team Challenge in Columbus, OH to foster participation by young people in the races, while raising funds and awareness of the disease. The Challenge, which was designated as a model program by Komen for the Cure®, is now present in more than 60 affiliates internationally. After high school, Lindsay received her BA in psychology from the University of Michigan. Lindsay, now 24, resides in Chicago, IL, as an Assistant Brand Manager at Unilever, marketing and developing some of the world's most admired brands including Dove, Suave and Axe deodorants. She remains a committed breast cancer activist, speaking out about her courageous decision to undergo prophylactic bilateral mastectomy in several national media outlets. She has also founded Bright Pink (www.BeBrightPink.org), a nonprofit organization providing education and support to young women who are at high risk for breast cancer.

		Dikla Benzeevi, BS, of Studio City, CA, is a young survivor of advanced breast cancer. Since her diagnosis, she has dedicated her time to breast cancer outreach and advocacy - assisting and guiding women with breast cancer and their loved ones through this difficult journey. Recognizing the need for a peer support and resource network for younger women in California, she created just such a group. By networking with breast cancer centers, hospitals, social workers and peers, Dikla has built one of the largest West Coast networks for young women. Her network shares information, promotes advocacy and outreach, welcomes newcomers with a personalized care package and provides the support that every young woman needs. Dikla is also involved in many other outreach activities including involvement in the Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization and the Young Survival Coalition. Dikla completed Y-Me Peer Hotline training, took part in an educational DVD for young women living with advanced breast cancer and participated in a survivor panel educating medical students. Dikla was also featured in various publications and spoke at many public engagements on issues related to breast health and breast cancer. Believing that peer support has to be coupled with political support, Dikla also participated in the National Breast Cancer Coalition Advocacy Training Conference in Washington DC, lobbying Congress to vote for breast cancer legislation. Dikla was recently chosen as a Lifetime Television 2007 Stop Breast Cancer for Life Hero.

		Nikia A. Hammonds-Blakely, MBA, of Crown Point, N.J., survived a life-altering bout with breast cancer at age 16. She is a singer, songwriter and motivational speaker who focuses her message on receiving physical and emotional healing with the help of God and family. She is especially concerned with the healing of families and women who suffer with issues of inadequacy, insecurity, brokenness and abandonment. In celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Nikia plans to release her debut solo project debut in October of this year, featuring songs that she penned in honor of breast cancer patients and survivors. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Indiana State University, an M.B.A. with a marketing specialty from Capella University and is currently studying for her PhD in Organizational Management.

		Davina Heredia, of El Paso, is a junior at the University of Texas at El Paso and is majoring in psychology. She graduated from Burges High School where she was actively involved in the JROTC program, orchestra and NHS. Her senior year, she joined Teens for the Cure and for the past two years has been president of the group. This coming year, she will be the chairperson. In college, she has been president of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society for the past year, a member of the Student Leadership Institute and the Honors Program. She is also actively involved in dance and a member of the Ballet Folklorico Paso del Norte group, which performs locally and nationally. She has also performed in Mexico.

		Samantha Knox, of Allendale, MI, is a 21-year-old student who grew up in Adrian, Michigan. She graduated from Madison High School in 2003 and is currently attending Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan pursuing a B.S. in public and nonprofit administration. She expects to graduate in April of 2008. Outside of schoolwork, Samantha works at a nearby hotel and stays very active on campus through involvement with Colleges Against Cancer, Komen for the Cure, American Humanics, and other projects.

		Bridget Mooney, of Boston, Mass., graduated in 2005 with a degree in International Relations from Boston University. One week after her graduation from BU, Bridget was diagnosed with breast cancer; she was only 21 and had no family history of the disease. For nearly 6 months, Bridget was told by several health professionals not to worry about the lump in her left breast, and was not sent for a mammogram. As a result of this delay, Bridget was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. Her doctors were not very optimistic about her chances of survival, but she had a wonderful response to chemotherapy and has now been cancer-free for over a year. Since her diagnosis, Bridget has dedicated her life to raising awareness about breast health in young women. She speaks often at colleges and universities about the need for all young women to perform monthly breast self exams, as well as find and keep in regular contact with a doctor they trust. Bridget volunteers as a point of contact for other young survivors through the Young Survival Coalition, the only non-profit dedicated to serving breast cancer patients under the age of 40. Bridget also works as a Recruitment Coordinator for the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk.

		Sarah E. Stumbar, BS, of New York, graduated from Yale University with a degree in the History of Medicine in May 2006. While at Yale, she spent three summers working at Latin American HIV clinics, volunteered with numerous community service organizations, directed Yale AIDS Watch-Global, and served on the Youth Advisory Committee for the XVI International AIDS Conference. Her senior thesis research explored the connection between the Catholic Church and HIV prevention and education in Costa Rica. Sarah spent the summer after graduation lobbying with the Center for Health and Gender Equity in Washington, D.C. In August 2006, she entered the master of public health program in sociomedical sciences at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. She is interested in studying the connections between cultural concepts of sexuality and the spread of the HIV epidemic, particularly in Latin America.

		Megan Sussman, of Berkeley, CA, is an undergraduate at the University of California, Berkeley, and is pursuing a degree in molecular and cell biology with a minor in public policy. As a fourth-year student, she is currently the director of the "Cal in Berkeley Internship Program," which connects undergraduate students with internships at local government and non-profit organizations in the San Francisco Bay area. She has visited several countries, including Japan, Israel, France, and Costa Rica. When Megan was a junior in high school in Southern California, she co-founded the Pink Ribbon Club with her younger sister. The club's mission is to increase teen awareness, raise funds, and provide volunteer opportunities in the fight against breast cancer. Following the club's success, her family established the Pink Ribbon Club Foundation (a non-profit organization) to support the formation of new clubs. Megan continues to act as an advisor and leader for the Foundation.

		Elissa Thorner-Bantug, MHS, of Mount Airy, Maryland, is a two-time cancer survivor. After finding a lump in her breast at the age of 21, it took Ms. Thorner-Bantug eighteen months to find a doctor who would be willing to order a mammogram. Her first breast cancer diagnosis was at the age of 23. Two years later, on her 25 birthday, she was diagnosed for a second time with breast cancer. Ms. Thorner-Bantug is an outspoken activist of young women living with breast cancer. She has appeared in multiple local and national television interviews, newspaper articles, magazine publications, and radio discussions speaking out about the unique barriers and challenges young women with breast cancer face. Ms. Thorner-Bantug holds an undergraduate degree form Georgetown University in Women's Health and a graduate degree from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Health Promotion and Health Education with a concentration in Women's Health Issues.

		Tarsha White-Jones, RN, BSN, of Washington, D.C., received her undergraduate degree from Seton Hall University, New Jersey in 2003. She is currently pursuing an MSN degree at The Catholic University of America to become a clinical nurse specialist: Her focus is global health, immigrant and refugee health. Upon completion of the program she plans to work both nationally and internationally with underserved populations to improve their health and access to health care through program and policy development. Tarsha previously served as a Paul Ambrose Scholar with the Association of Prevention, Teaching, and Research (APTR). During this time, she became an advocate for underserved women in Washington, D.C. Her focus is on the prevention or early detection of breast cancer. She also developed an outreach program called "Love Your Breast" in which she educates women about the importance of making their health a priority through early detection and routine screening. After the death of her grandmother to breast cancer in 2004, Tarsha began the journey of empowering women to become better aware of breast cancer and promised to do all that she could to eradicate the disease.